First time ever in my life I stayed up all night doing homework. Now I know there are many sleepless nights of homework ahead of me.
Ramon Gonzalez
Engl 1S
Essay #2
In the book, A true diary of a part-time Indian, Sherman Alexie tell us the story about the curious life of Arnold “Junior” Spirit. An Indian boy different from the rest Indians in his Spokane Indian Reservation. Bullied all his life until he was 14 years old due to his appearance. His appearance was due to his debate with life and death when he was born. “I was born with too much water on the brain” (2) Known as cerebral spinal fluid which cause his thinking, breathing and living engine to slow down. At six months old his skull was cut open to suck all the excess grease inside his head. Doctors didn’t give his parents any hope of surviving and he was to survive he was going to be in a vegetable state. A miracle happened and Junior survived the operation to be a normal person but weird looking. With ten more teeth than the normal human, nearsighted in one eye, a huge head, skinny with huge hands and feet, with a stutter and a lisp and being “susceptible to seizure activity” (4) Helped out to lower his self esteem and made his life very difficult growing up in the rez. Unaccepted by the rest, Junior like the rest of us was a kid with dreams. He realizes that staying in the reservation he would end up just like the rest of the indians; drunk miserable and hopeless. This story sends a message of hope. Gives you courage to speak up and go for what you want. Its a encouraging story that everybody should read
He loved to draw all the time as a way of communicating with the world. “If you speak and write in english, or Spanish, or Chinese, or any other language, then only a certain percentage of human beings will get your meaning. But if you draw a picture, everybody can understand it.” Arnold, regardless of his condition, he was a very intelligent kid with a great sense of humor and down to earth. He dreamed of being a rich and famous artist someday. And his hope of becoming one kept him drawing the world. His drawings was a way of getting attention and let the world know that he existed and that he mattered.
His parents were very talented and intelligent “My mom can read the newspaper in fifteen minutes” (13). His Dad was a good singer and musician too. He knew how to play not only the guitar but the piano and the saxophone as well. But like many other Indian’s, they didn’t follow their dreams. They became victims of society who rely on the booze for relieve. His sister is a quiet girl who dropped of school after being a good student for unknown reasons. She then spends most of her days in the basement writing up love novels.
Indians have gone through a lot in history, pushed to reservations throughout the country, they gave up on the battle of fighting for their lands and their rights. Became conformist for what they settle with the White immigrants. They are victims of society who got everything taken away from them. They blame it on other people the fact that they don’t get to realize their dreams. Arnold says Indians don’t get those chances. “It sucks to be poor, and it sucks to feel that you some how deserve to be poor. You start believing that you’re poor because you’re stupid and ugly. And then you start believing that you’re stupid and ugly because you’re Indian. And because you’re indian you’re destined to be poor.” I don’t know much about the Indian culture but in this story I can see how much they suffer. Like any other people of color or a minority had in the past and in present times. But I don’t think that’s an excuse not the be somebody. According to Junior, Indians are drunks and hopeless. So I think that is their excuse that causes them to become victims of their own thoughts. I come from a minority culture. But I’m not going to let society bring me down. That is like committing suicide, the easy way out. You are what you set your mind to. I think we all get the same chances in this world about being who we want to be. We all have the same chances of making our dreams come true. I understand that some people are born rich and they don’t have to worry about a thing since the day they are born. Some of us were born poor. There are advantages and disadvantages in both worlds. Making our dreams come true is equal in both worlds. Its all about the choices we make. Indians choose the booze. They choose to feel inferior “a major cause of this self-defeating reaction is the Inner Critic’s harsh self judgement.”(51)
Friends have a huge impact in our lives. We have friends that become enemies and friends that become best friends. Either way we need them to find ourselves. I look back and I don’t remember every person I’ve met in my life. I don’t remember every friend I had. I remember those who had an impact in my life. I remember the people who hurt me the most as well as the people who was there for me at my worst times. I think we all do. Reading Juniors story makes you realize the importance of those people.
Sometimes I remember someone that did me wrong but as years go by, I wish to see that person just to thank him or her for the way he or she treated me back then. If it wasn’t for that treatment I wouldn’t be standing where I was standing at that moment in my life. For example a girl who didn’t take me seriously back when I was in love with her made me make bigger steps and I became a better person that what I was before. The love I had for her, blind me to see what was she really like. When I saw her kissing one guy then making out with a different one while dating another one, broke my heart and I suffer at the moment That suffering pushed my limits. I did more exercise to look like the guys she was kissing. I wrote a lot, read books like never before and work harder. I kept busy and suddenly I manage to get her out of my life, my feelings toward her vanished. During this dark time of my life a guy that I knew just by hi, came by my house and he saw me going through tough times and invited me to different activities that kept me busy. After a few months we became really good friends. Now I can say he is one of my best friends. When I saw this girl a year later still fooling around, I felt bad for her. I wondered what was that I saw on her that drove me nuts. I couldn’t figure it out but one thing was for sure. I was a better person thanks to her rejection.
Junior was the perfect bully material at the rez. Everybody took advantage of him, everybody but one guy, Rowdy, his best friend. They had been friends since they were babies, born on the same day, but the opposite from each other. Rowdy had a short temper. He was rude, violent, and tough, just like his Dad. Many times Rowdy was very close to beating Junior’s butt but he contained himself. He will also pushed Junior around from time to time but Junior felt safe around him. It was like a love and hate relationship between them.
When Rowdy was around, he would protect Junior from anyone who might threaten to hurt him.
Like a body guard. This particular part of the story change my point of view towards Indians. I thought they were more about unity and respect, but seeing how Junior was being kicked to the curbed, lower my believed I had towards Indians. If they can’t win the fight, they should stand together not fight against each other.
There was this teacher, Mr P. The geography teacher at the rez school. Mr P carry some guilt with him for being racist and in a way, killing Indians hope. After having a long conversation with Junior, he convinces him to get away from the rez and fight for a better future. Junior was full of hope and the rez was full of hopeless people. He thought that if he was to stay there he will just be one more hopeless Indian. After Junior made the decision about leaving the rez, he asked Rowdy to join him in this adventure. But Rowdy not only said no, he got very upset at Junior not only for leaving. But also because he was leaving to join Reardan, a white people’s school i a white people’s town. “Reardan is the rich, white farm town that seats in the wheat fields exactly twenty-two miles away from the rez” (47) Rowdy full of anger and hate, called Junior a traitor for leaving the rez and gave him a punch followed by a black eye. So much for a best friend to do that. He should’ve been happy for his friend and wish him the best instead of acting against him. He knew he was Junior’s only friend. He should consider himself lucky for having Junior as a friend. I don’t think I would tolerate such behavior from such a best friend. With those friends you don’t need enemies.
Your best friends are going to be your parents. No matter what the situation is, their love is unconditional. With his parents blessings, very nervous and scared as hell, Junior went to Reardan. First day of class every white kid look at him like something out of this word. “Those kids weren’t white, they were translucent. I could see the blue veins running through their skin like rivers.” (56) Again the negative thoughts surrounded his head. he was feeling worthless and stupid but then in class he forgot about the world for a moment when he met a girl. Penelope, the prettiest girl he had ever seen up close. He was speechless for seven days and on his eight day at school he had to punch someone in the face. The guy deserve it, he was being racist, nasty an imprudent. Junior was expecting for Roger to fight back but he didn’t, he just walked away. Roger was this giant white kid, the typical popular kid at school always surrounded by friends. He was just looking to make fun of the new guy. He was not expecting to get punched in the face by the weird thing looking guy. Life is full of surprises. never underestimate no one.
Im glad Junior punched Roger in the face because that changes everything. If he let those insults slide. He was going to be Roger’s Indian mascot and no one would take him seriously. In Mexico where I grew up is an honor thing. There are times that the only way out of a situation is getting into a fist fight with your opponent. He might be really huge but you’re not going to carry him, you're going to hit him as hard as you can wherever you can and if he doesn't fall down, then then you run for your life. You fight and if you lose you get a black eye or a broken rib but all that gets fixed. In the other hand, if you don’t fight, people take advantage of you. Your honor suffers irreversible damage. I’m against fighting but in the end is the decisions we make that makes the difference. After that fight Roger never bother him again, in fact they became friends.
Something similar happened to me when I was 12 years old, my Dad took my brother and me to Kodiak, an island of Alaska. He had a job offer and off we went. I didnt know about racism back in Mexico city so I wasn’t scared on the idea of a new town, new school, new traditions, a new world. I was excited about it. I was going to six grade but my admission test put me in seventh grade. That cause some of the locals some discomfort. I was the only Mexican in the whole school and the second latino there. The majority was Filipinos than whites. But like Junior they looked at me like a thing out of this world and I did not speak english, I could understand more that I could speak. I knew some words but nothing to have a conversation. I would wave my hand and say hi to everyone but not everyone would say hi back and I start feeling bad. It was not expecting this rejection.
On recess, I went to the restroom and behind me came this big filipino guy. He ask me for a dollar and I only had a dollar so I say “no money” he came and grab me from my jacket and pushed me against the wall. I got scared and worried at the same time thinking he was going to sink my head in the urinal or something so I hitting with my head in his nose, he let go of my shirt and I punched him in the eye. Then I ran towards the door. There was a crowd outside the restroom like if they knew what was about to go down and as I walk through they open the road to let me through. That’s when the other latino came and talk to me as we walk outside. He made me even more nervous telling me that the guy I had just hit had cousins in eighth grade and that I was in trouble but that he was happy to see another latino there. “now I wont be the only one being bullied” He said with this relief in his face. We were in the yard when this teacher came to get me to take me to the coordinators office. I walked in the office and there he was, the huge guy with a broken nose. When he saw me he pointed at me telling the teachers “that’s him, he's the one who did this.” I said “ you first punched me” He never punched me but thats what i said. because I couldn’t explain how things happen. And because I was the new guy from Mexico city I got in trouble. The coordinator told me “I don’t know if this is how you were raised in Mexico city but this is absolutely not permitted here and we are not going to tolerate another incident. You will be suspended this time and if this happens again you’re out of the school. Lucky me that fight was enough to get some respect from the rest. In a couple of weeks later I became friends with some folks there. And just like Junior, i fell in Love with this girl. She was my motivation to learn english as soon as possible.
Junior gets dropped off at school on this beautiful Indian motorcycle by Eugene. His Dad’s best friend. Eugene was like an uncle to Junior, and just like many Indians, Eugene was a drunk. “He was a funny and kind drunk, always wanting to laugh and hug you and sing songs and dance.” (70) So after punching a popular guy in the face and getting dropped off on a motorcycle hes not seen as a weird looking thing anymore, but more like a tough guy. People paid respect to him.
He became closer and closer with Penelope. Seems like the planets were aligned to his favor. Many coincidences happen between them two. First they dressed as homeless for halloween and Junior decides to join on Penelopes cause. To protest the treatment for homeless people in this country. She said “I’m going to ask for spare change tonight instead of candy, and I’m going to give it all to the homeless.” (78) Junior admire that and join the protest, he was going to do the same but for the treatment of homeless Native Americans in this country. He just went along with the plan. Unfortunately back at the rez most people called him names and slammed the door o his face then he gets jumped by three guys on the walk back home. They took his money and the 10 bucks.The other coincidence is when Junior goes to the bathroom during class where he hears this weird noises coming from the girls bathroom, like someone was vomiting. He waits outside to make sure that person was ok and Penelope walks out. He confronts her about her being anorexic where she clarifies him that she is not an anorexic, that she is bulimic. Then Penelope starts confessing her feelings. How lonely she was and how everybody thinks her life is perfect just because she is smart beautiful intelligent and popular. After that incident she chose him to be her new friend. After a some time spending quality time they start dating which makes Junior become some what popular in school. It’s the power of the influences you acquire throughout your life. He dates the popular girl at school, suddenly he becomes interesting, somewhat good looking or attractive.
Things are looking great for Junior comparing to the life he was living back at the rez, back at Wellpinit. Where his own people would make him feel retarded, and called him apple “They call me apple because they think I’m red on the outside and white on the inside.” (132) I thought that was very funny but is sad actually. Back at Wellpinit no one wanted to be his friend.he thought he was going to die single. Back in Reardan he’s not making tons of friends but he’s making a few, more than ever before. He befriend the genius guy in school Gordy. Who down the road teaches Junior how to study and they become really good friends. Not best friends like Rowdy and Junior but close.
One thing I find annoying about Juniors behavior is that he is so negative, he keeps expecting the worst when all the things are going great. I mean, I don’t blame him. He never had this much joy, all this is new to him. But when things are going good you gotta be optimistic about the things around you. One thing I learned in my life is that is better to expect the worst of a situation, that way if you fall, it doesn’t hurt as much. If things turn out good then the joy is magnificent. but that doesn’t apply to every single thing in your life. He needs to drop his victim costume, accept and enjoy the moment.
Things get even better for Junior when he joins Reardan’s basketball team. Thanks to the coach encouragement he made it to the top team. Coach told him he was going to be his secret weapon due to his ability to shoot. The first team they played against was Wellpinit in their home.
Things got crazy from the get go. Kids pelted the bus with snowballs filled with rocks. Every Indian in the court was mad at Junior. Indians shouting “Ar-nold sucks repeatedly suddenly someone threw a coin at him causing him to bleed. Instead of going to the hospital he got Eugine to stitch his forehead to continue the game. Just in time for second half he gets elbowed in the head by his best friend. That knocked him unconscious. The white referees out of fear of indians acted unfair. “They called technical fouls on four of our players for leaving the bench and on Coach for unsportsmanlike conduct.” (147) Wellpinit ended up winning by thirty points.
After being cheated on the game against Wellpinit, they went on playing other schools winning twelve in a row and then the time for revenge came. It was the game everybody was waiting to see. This time was going to take place in Reardan. Junior wanted to beat Rowdy and prove his people that he was stronger and that he was not going to give up ever. Coach put Junior to guard Rowdy. Encouraging him to stop him no matter what telling him that he could do it. Pumped up from the coach encouragement Junior jumped higher that Rowdy taking the ball out of his hands and ran to score. With Rowdy smoking mad behind him he fell for a head-fake and score a three-pointer and the crowd went nuts. Reardan won by forty two points. Wellpinit team was devastated. That team was the only thing the people at the rez was proud of. It had been the best team for a long time until now. They had been defeated by the team whose best shooter was one of their own. How ironic is that?
Speaking of irony, God moves in mysterious ways.
We all have ups and downs in life. Sometimes you get a batch of bad luck. One thing goes wrong and suddenly everything goes bad. In Juniors case it was the continuous death of close people in a short period of time. First his grandma, then his Dad’s best friend and then his sister. And what an ugly way of dying. “Grandparents are supposed to die first But they are supposed to die of old age. They’re supposed to die of a heart attack or a stroke or of cancer or of Alzheimer’s. THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO GET RUN OVER AND KILLED BY A DRUNK DRIVER” (158) Another ironic moment, his grandma had never drank alcohol in her life. His Dad’s best friend was shot in the face by one of his best friends over the last sip of alcohol out of the almost empty bottle and his sister passed out drunk while someone left something on the stove and she burn to death.
One thing I can relate with Junior is how we minorities are killing each other. I’ve been in this country for 16 years now. It is very sad to see all this gangs killing each other for wearing certain colors of some sports team. If you live in a certain block you can’t wear red or you get killed by the blue wearing gang. And if you live in a certain block you can’t wear blue or you get killed by the gang wearing red. If they don’t kill you they beat you pretty bad. I also see this happening with blacks killing blacks. We are supposed to help each other but we are doing the opposite. I don’t see any gangs in the indian community but its as bad as the gangs. People getting run over by drunk people, friends shooting friends over alcohol and people burning to death while they were passed out because of alcohol. When I picture this in my mind seems like a big voice narrating the picture; ‘here are some guns and some alcohol cause we know you guys like to party, go on and enjoy” And a big deep and loud laugh is laughing at us for killing each other.
We all get ill, break bones, lose jobs, get our heart broken but then we heal and continue with our lives. Death is permanent. We don’t know when our time is up, but we all going to die. When someone close to me dies, it is a very hard process to assimilate and digest. At least for me. I can only imagine how hard it must be for Junior to overcome three deaths in such a short period of time.
One thing I hate and like about deaths and funerals is that people get closer. I hate it when there are times that you live very close to some relatives but you don’t see each other. When someone dies you see everyone at the funeral. People travel from all over the world to come to your funeral. People cry and tell other people how much they love you and how much they missed you and how much you are going to be missed. That pisses me off. When that person was alive you drove by his house everyday. Why not stop by to say hi? Too busy working, kids, this and that. For me it’s all lame excuses. Visit me when I’m alive not when I’m gone. One of the reasons I like funerals is because sometimes relatives don’t talk to each other for the longest periods of times. When someone on the family dies and they all get reunited for the funeral they start talking about their indifferences. And most times they make peace and start talking again. saying things like “I bet Momma will be proud if she sees us talking again” REALLY?? You should've make her proud when she was alive and old knowing that she could be gone any minute, why not give her another reason to smile before she is gone!
Junior couldn’t take her sister funeral any more so he ran at full speed into the woods where he ran into Rowdy who was hiding in the woods watching the funeral. Rowdy blame Junior for his sister’s death. “Your sister is dead because you left us, you killed her” (211) The Junior felt guilty for a moment there. Junior decided to go to school the next day instead of hanging with all the drunk people in his house. At school he felt better with all the hugs from teachers and students. “They were worried for me. They wanted to help me with my pain. I was important to them. I mattered. Wow. After all he went through he was finally feeling accepted, loved and cared. Then the best thing happened. He got to reunite with his best friend Rowdy.
They remembered things they use to do and spent some quality time talking about life while shooting hoops with out keeping a score.
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